 The hotel, which has always been at the very heart of Valognes’ social life, has a truly prestigious history.
The Grand Hôtel du Louvre is one of the oldest buildings in Valognes which contribute to the town’s rich historic heritage. In the early 18th century, the hotel served as an inn.
It is said to have been named Grand Hôtel du Louvre in the 19th century.
The very first official mention of the Grand Hôtel du Louvre dates from the 25th of August 1707, in the knight Guillaume de Hennot’s last will and testament.
However, its origins are thought to date back to as early as the 15th century, when the French King Louis XI established a network of post houses throughout the nation.
The hotel’s most prestigious guest was undoubtedly the French literary master, Barbey d’Aurévilly (French writer and Catholic aristocrat who was also a dandy and was fascinated by Satanism and the extraordinary). He occupied room n°4 for the first time on the 18th of December 1864, later to rent an apartment in the nearby Hôtel Granval Caligny, continuing nevertheless to have his meals delivered from the Grand Hôtel du Louvre.
Alexis de Toqueville, who was three times elected deputy in the Valognes constituency, also held his committee meetings in the Grand Hôtel du Louvre’s Café.
The Grand Hôtel du Louvre is located in one of Valognes most remarkably preserved streets. And just like the town of Valognes, also referred to as “Le Petit Versailles Normand”, the hotel has withstood the test of time, successfully modernising without losing an ounce of its original essence.
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